Officer Involved Shooting ***UPDATE*** (Press Release)

by Public Information Officer, Thursday, April 14, 2011, 02:00 (2871 days ago)

At 11:45 PM on Wednesday April 13, 2011, the Abilene Police Department received a call of an armed subject near Sears Park. Responding officers were able to locate a subject matching the description given by the calling party. The subject fled from officers on foot and ran into an alley in the 2100 block of Shelton. The subject went over a fence and into a back yard. An officer followed. The subject, who was holding a handgun, began trying to force his way into a residence. The subject ignored the officer’s commands to drop the handgun. The subject then pointed the handgun in the direction of the officer who responded to this threatening action by discharging his firearm. The suspect was struck by the officer’s gunfire and is deceased.

As is the case with all officer involved shootings resulting in serious injury or death, a concurrent investigation is being conducted by the Abilene Police Department and the Texas Rangers. The involved officer has been placed on paid leave and the identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

This is an active investigation and additional information may be released as the investigation allows. Our thoughts and prayers are with the involved officers and the family of the deceased.

************************************UPDATE***************************************
The deceased has been identified as Dennis L. Willis B/M 08-17-90 of Abilene.